Hassan has another surprise — Hershey’s Kisses — that he gives to new and old customers, both youngsters and seniors.

“Hold out your hand — that’s for you,” he said. “Now don’t be a stranger — come back and see me.”

Ernie’s Market is home to the $5 sandwich, but it’s really the “love” that brings people back. Hassan refers to his special sauce (he won’t divulge the ingredients) as “love sauce.”

“Ernie’s such a beautiful, kind person,” said Terrell Cameron, 57, of Royal Oak Township. “The service is excellent, the food is fresh, and he just makes a quality sandwich.”

Located in a residential and industrial mixed neighborhood that joins Oak Park, Ferndale and Royal Oak Township, Ernie’s Market is like no other. The lineup for a sandwich can be out the front door, but don’t expect any gripes from the customer.

“I come here because of Ernie,” said Alex Atwell, 37, of Berkley. “You can’t come in with a bad mood and leave unhappy. He’s going to light you up for the rest of the workweek. He’s infectious. He is one of the best things about Detroit.”

Of course, it’s the sandwich that hungry folks line up for between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays — Ernie’s hours.

Hassan will slice an assortment of cheese and fresh meats of turkey, ham, salami and pepperoni in front of you, and then ask what vegetables you want: green and red peppers, banana peppers, jalapenos, cucumber, lettuce or tomato?

But the order doesn’t stop there.

“Hey, baby, we’re going to put some pepperoni on that for you today — you like pepperoni?” Hassan said. “Everyone likes pepperoni, right? Want some mayo, seasoning or the love sauce?”

Hassan, who is backed by two assistants, creates the monster of all sandwiches made in the area. He is unique in every sense of the word and comes across as your favorite uncle or grandpa. He is so well liked by his patrons that conversation about his life is just part of the experience.

“Do you want that cut?” he asked a young customer before wrapping up the sandwich for another to-go order. “Yeah, baby, it’s going to explode if you don’t.”

Most customers who come in for lunch also enjoy a conversation with Ernie, while others take advantage of the 50 cent cans of pop he offers or maybe a bag of Detroit-made chips.

“The sandwiches are terrific, but you can’t help but love Ernie,” said Gerri Wolshon of Chesterfield Township, who made the 40-minute drive to Oak Park with her husband, Tom, just for an Ernie’s original sandwich.

“Whenever we come for lunch, all my kids say, ‘Bring me a sandwich, too, mom,’” she noted. “This is definitely worth the trip.”

Ernie’s brick exterior store is essentially a nondescript building, with old memorabilia inside, complete with gifts from customers, walls lined with newspaper clippings and awards that have been bestowed on the “sandwich king.”

“How you doin’ now, baby?” Ernie asked.

“I feel the love,” Tom Wolshon said with a wide smile. “He’s got the love.”